Fresh off her track record-equaling performance, Gowestyoungrace overpowered her foes at Cumberland on Friday (July 26) to win her third consecutive Maine Sire Stakes for three-year-old pacing fillies.
In the first of two $22,000-plus divisions of the Maine-sired series, driver Dave Ingraham allowed the early speed to roll out on top while taking and all-so-brief respite. The first to leave was Whos Perfect (5-2, Heath Campbell), who was immediately followed by My Sweet Revenge (7-1, Kevin Switzer Jr.) into a :28.4 opening panel.
While marching into the :59.1 half, Ingraham had Gowestyounggrace first over around the second turn and cleared as the field passed the stands for the second time. On top and in control through the 1:28.1 third panel Gowestyounggrace had Whos Perfect glued to her helmet with My Sweet Revenge tipping to the outside to challenge around the final turn.
The 1-5 favorite found another gear as they turned for home, sprinting away to win by a comfortable 2-length margin in 1:58. The heavy 1-5 favourite paid just $2.60 to win.
Conditioned by Fred Ward Jr., who owns and bred with his wife Sharon Ward, the daughter of Western Maverick-Gracie Gracie has won half of her eight seasonal outings.
Whos Perfect finished second; My Sweet Revenge was third.
In the second $22,495 division of the Maine Sire Stakes for sidestepping sophomore distaffs, it was another favourite that triumphed in front-end fashion.
There was a three-horse cavalry charge into the first turn with Ghost of You (3-5, Switzer) taking command from Animore Sass (6-1, Andy Harrington) and Mrs Foxy Roxy (7-1, Drew Campbell). Switzer had things his own way and was able to back down from the :28.4 opening panel to a more pedestrian 1:00.1 half.
At the 1:30.2 third panel, the pace had quickened as Harrington pulled the pocked with Animore Sass and poked a head in front as the battling stable mates led the field through the final turn. Ghost Of You emerged the leader at the head of the stretch and was able to fend off the kinetic momentum of Animore Sass to prevail by three parts of a length in 2:01.
Trained by Marc Tardif for owner-breeder Leighton Property, the daughter of Deuce Seelster secured her first Maine Sire Stakes victory of the season.
Pembroke Red (Heath Campbell-Valerie Grondin) recovered from an early miscue to get up for third.
‘Double Digit’ Dave Ingraham picked up the middle of his driving triple in the $9,589 Chickadee Pop-Up Series Trot, scoring with Guinness in 2:02.4 while paying a whopping $84.20 to win. Aaron Hall also enjoyed a teamster trifecta. The meet’s leading driver, Kevin Switzer Jr., also had a double, as did Drew Campbell. Trainer Jamie Gerard harnessed a pair of winners.
Looking ahead to Saturday (July 27), Cumberland sees the return of all the Maine-sired trotters for their next round of Maine Sires Stakes action. Two early, non-wagering races start the day with the sophomore trotters, post time is 2:15 p.m. Then the regular card kicks off with two $16,000-plus USD divisions for freshmen trotters, as well as a $5,000 USD division of the Maine Amateur Driving Club (MADC). = The MADC is sponsored by the Blue Seal Feed Stores of North Yarmouth and Windham, Maine. The rest of the 13-race program features additional pop-up series with increased $6,000-$7,000 USD purses.
The First Tracks Cumberland meet concludes next week on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 2 & 3. The final day of the meet features the $25,000 USD Pine Tree Invitational Pace, as well as full card simulcasting of Hambletonian Day at the Meadowlands and Whitney Stakes Day at Saratoga. Gates open at 11 a.m., with the first pari-mutuel harness race set for 3:15 p.m.
(First Tracks Cumberland)